When Quiet Time Is Over....

Ella rarely naps anymore. I mean VERY RARELY (once every month or so). I didn't think that time would come so soon, but its been happening for a good 6-9 months. So I still put her down for a nap everyday (because I need a break). We go through the motions of putting the diaper on, laying her down and giving kisses and saying goodnight. But it never fails, within 15 minutes I hear her rummaging through her toy box. I used to fight with her and try to put my foot down to make her go to sleep, but finally came to the conclusion that it just wasn't worth it. I would get all stressed out and miss my chance at alone time, and Ella would be over tired and cranky for the rest of the day after exerting the energy from screaming and crying. So, we now call it 'quiet time'. It is still 'nap time' before and while I am trying to put her down, but if she starts talking, I remind her its 'quiet time'.

After an hour or and hour and a half, she will open her door and ask if she can come out. Depending on what I am doing I will say "yes" or "not yet". But when that magical moment comes that Mommy says she can came out of her room and quiet time is over, the glee in her voice refreshes me all over again. "Okay", she says. "Here I come!"


The best part though is what the room looks like after quiet time and what or if she is wearing anything. She has been into dressing like a princess since Christmas. She says she looks like a "pretty lady".


Yesterday, she came out of her room with her Minnie Mouse ears on (from our trip to Disney World in April) and a backpack on. I am always surprised at what meets her fancy each day...underwear on the head, tank top pulled up over her shorts, socks on her hands. Who knows what goes through that little brain of hers. She thankfully climbed up on the chair in front of the window and allowed me to take pictures of her. A good time was had by all.